Pearl was fired by Tennessee in 2011 after the investigation. Before that, however, he had plenty of success with the Volunteers, taking the team to the NCAA tournament in each of his six years as coach.

That's the guy Jacobs is expecting to lead the Tigers, which hasn't experienced March Madness since 2003.

"From the moment I met Coach Pearl and heard his vision for our basketball program, it was clear he's the right man at the right time for Auburn," Jacobs said. "Coach Pearl is a proven winner who will bring energy and excitement to our program. We have raised the bar for Auburn basketball, and I could not be more excited for our student-athletes and our future under Coach Pearl's leadership. I know he agrees with me — it's time to win."

Pearl is 231-99 in Division I, has taken nine of his 10 Division I teams to the NCAA tournament and led Division II Southern Indiana to a national title in 1995. He succeeds Tony Barbee, who went 18-50 in the SEC during his four-year tenure.

“I'm humbled and blessed to be back in the game that I love,” Pearl said in a statement. “I don't know how long it will take, but it's time to rebuild the Auburn basketball program, and bring it to a level of excellence so many of the other teams on campus enjoy.”

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